RESULTS & ARTICLE
A Division: Ted Jervics and Jim Price defeated Karl Briggs and Mitch Larson in the final 21-12, 21-11. Don and Doug McIntyre took 3rd.
B Division (drop down from A): Danny O’Shea and Paul Ferhman won the round-robin, formatted division.
REPORT FROM KARL BRIGGS
1stAnnual Allen-Gilfeather Memorial Paddleball Tournament
Saginaw YMCA
September 22, 2018
This past Saturday the Mid-Michigan Paddleball group hosted the 1stannual Allen-Gilfeather Memorial Tournament. Bill Allen was a long time area baseball coach and mentor at both the youth and high school level. When Bill wasn’t coaching you could find him behind the plate umpiring, on the hard courts refereeing basketball games, or playing senior level softball at his winter home in Arizona. Bill was a racquetball Champion who competed at the State and National level for over 30 years. We converted Bill over to the dark side of paddleball many years ago and he became a noon time regular. He was always known for his court strategy and passion for the game.
Charlie Gilfeather one of our more competitive and very intense players, switched over from racquetball 15 years ago and didn’t look back. He competed in local tournaments, most recently he won our vintage doubles bracket this past winter with Rick Rhirdo. Charlie had retired from practicing law, and was an avid sportsman and a veracious reader, actually completing a Master’s Degree in English Literature at the age of 62 from the University of Michigan. Both Charlie and Bill passed away in the last 6 months and it is with a heavy heart that I write this. They will be missed on many levels. The tournament was our way of celebrating their time on the court and we appreciate all the players that supported us.
The tournament was an 8 team single elimination bracket with the losers from the first round dropping down to a one game to 21 pool play. All the teams were fairly well matched as many of the matches went to a tie breaker. In the semifinals matches the father-son team of Don and Doug McIntyre lost in three games to Jim Price and Ted “The Paralyzer” Jervics. In the other semifinals, Mitch Larson and I got the best of Jim Howland and Keith Thurlow to advance to the finals. In the final round Price and Jervics were too much for Larson and I as they swept us in two games. Jervics was out of control as he dropped one corner kill shot after another and frustrated all competitors with his lob serve. Even our disparaging remarks, name calling, and insults could not thwart or distract Jervics from his masterful display of paddleball skills. Needless to say Ted was unanimously voted most valuable player of the Tournament. Congratulations Ted and Jim on your tournament win, well deserved.
Taking 3rdin the tournament was team McIntyre as they took Howland and Thurlow in 2 games.
Winning the consolation bracket was the doubles team of Prosecutor Paul Fuhrman and Danny O’shea. Danny is a new player who is really making great improvement…With Paul’s leadership and coaching you will want to keep an eye on this young man.
Thank you Jeff Collett for hosting the after-party with corn toss, pickleball, hot dogs and fellowship at his ranch afterward. Special thanks to Jim Price, tournament director and Mitch Larson for managing the facilities. Great fun was had by all and everyone is already talking about coming back again next year. Through your participation in this tournament the players of the Mid-Michigan Paddleball were able to donate $200.00 to the YMCA youth program. Way to go guys!
See you Saturday October 13, at the Saginaw YMCA for the 2ndannual Mudd-Slingers Singles.
Yours from the court, Karl R. Briggs
Click on the poster to enlarge.
